Reportedly 7~80% antique Yixings are unearthened ones, and the rest makes up by foreign countries, very rarely there are Yixings used from Ming-Qing up to these days. Most reasons are they were destroyed by wars.

They can find unearthened ones usually by constructions, when workers found them, what do they do? do they understand Yixings? Pricing is up to anyone. Until 2000, antique Zhunis were found at least 1 piece a day. I've seen Bao-li/Jia-de (auctions) collectors who got many from them.

Of course price matters, it's important..most of times. But more important is your experience because goods or teas..never lie.

Currently trying out a new TKY from Distinctly tea. They have it simply labelled as "Ti kuan yin: Select". Picked it up because the leaves smelled so much different than any other TKY I've had so far. kind of fruity with a hint of chocolate.

Gonna have to play with the steep times on it cause the first couple infusions were VERY earthy, overpoweringly so. Not what the aroma was setting me up for

And today continues without any drips from the sky bearing some relief from drought, but I'm enjoying this rich and floral Imperial Tie Guan Yin from Yunnan Sourcing from a cup that both crawls and drips with shino glaze, from Petr Novak's TC TA SO collection....

I got a small shipment in from Norbu tea today and found a sample packet of Ali Shan Red Oolong Fall 2012. I'm really enjoying it so far. Very smooth, nice sweetness to it and a hint of something like cinnamon that's quite delicious. I might have to make another order and get some more of this.